Comparison VS Microsoft Outlook Mail vs. Hotmail

Outlook Mail vs. Hotmail:comparison

Outlook Mail and Hotmail are both email services provided by Microsoft, but there are differences in branding, features, and services. Here's a comparison of both:

1. Branding & Name:
Hotmail: Hotmail was one of the first free web-based email services, launched in 1996. Microsoft acquired it in 1997, and it became known as "MSN Hotmail."
Outlook Mail: In 2013, Microsoft transitioned Hotmail users to a new platform called "Outlook.com," rebranding its email service as Outlook Mail. The new name also aligned with Microsoft's broader brand of Outlook, which was already used in its desktop email software.
2. User Interface:
Hotmail: The Hotmail interface was more basic and simpler when it was active.
Outlook Mail: The Outlook Mail interface is modern, clean, and closely resembles Microsoft's other productivity tools, such as Office 365 and Microsoft Teams. It includes better integration with calendars, tasks, and the rest of the Microsoft 365 suite.
3. Storage:
Hotmail: Hotmail users had limited storage space (initially 2 MB when it launched, later increasing).
Outlook Mail: Outlook Mail offers more generous storage, currently providing users with 15 GB of free email storage. If you subscribe to Microsoft 365, you get additional storage through OneDrive and other benefits.
4. Features & Integration:
Hotmail: While Hotmail had basic email functionalities (sending/receiving emails, contacts, and calendar), it lacked some of the advanced features found in modern services.
Outlook Mail: Outlook Mail has evolved with features like:
Integrated calendar, tasks, and reminders.
Better security features (including two-factor authentication).
Focused Inbox, which intelligently filters important emails from clutter.
Integration with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and OneDrive.
Supports both personal and work accounts (via Microsoft 365).
5. Security:
Hotmail: Hotmail did have basic security, but it was less advanced compared to modern standards.
Outlook Mail: Outlook Mail has more robust security features, including two-factor authentication, encryption, and phishing protection.
6. Mobile & App Experience:
Hotmail: Hotmail's mobile and app experience was limited, especially in its later years, before it fully transitioned to Outlook.
Outlook Mail: Outlook Mail offers mobile apps for iOS and Android, with a rich experience that includes email, calendar, contacts, and task management integrated into one app.
7. Migration from Hotmail to Outlook:
If you had a Hotmail account, you were automatically migrated to the new Outlook.com platform. However, your Hotmail address still works, and you can continue using it without any issue.
8. Support for Custom Domains:
Hotmail: Hotmail did not support custom domain names for personal accounts.
Outlook Mail: While Outlook Mail doesn't offer custom domains directly in the free version, it integrates well with Microsoft 365 for custom domains in business and premium accounts.
Conclusion:
While Hotmail was a pioneering email service, Outlook Mail is the modern, feature-rich version of Microsoft's email platform. It offers a more robust, integrated, and secure experience, with improvements in storage, user interface, and overall functionality. If you were using Hotmail, it's likely that you're already using Outlook.com, as Microsoft phased out the Hotmail brand.

Outlook Mail vs. Hotmail:comparison VS